bumpy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbəm-pē 

bumpier; bumpiest

1

: having or covered with bumps

2

a

: marked by bumps or jolts

b

: marked by or full of difficulties

bumpily

ˈbəm-pə-lē 

adverb

bumpiness

ˈbəm-pē-nəs 

noun

bumpiness

2 of 2

noun

bump·​i·​ness ˈbəm-pē-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being bumpy

Synonyms of bumpy

Adjective

• rough
• uneven

Examples of bumpy in a Sentence

Adjective

The road is very bumpy.

the bumpy skin of a cucumber

The flight was very bumpy.

The road was rough so we had a bumpy ride.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Great opportunity for Patterson here, get ‘em at the Update desk — a tactic Bill Murray famously tried in an attempt to ingratiate himself after a bumpy start as a cast member. — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026

Transitioning to a new scheme and play caller is often a bumpy ride, so there’s not yet any reason for actual panic about Philly. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

September was a bumpy ride for stocks and bonds, but strategies using options can help investors generate a little more portfolio income. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

This is the one who shows up, locked and loaded and ready for duty, in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger, one bumpy ride of a satire slash symphony-of-burning-Rome-fiddlers. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bumpy

• dumpy
• grumpy
• jumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy

Kids Definition

bumpy

adjective

ˈbəm-pē 

bumpier; bumpiest

: marked by bumps or bumping

a bumpy ride

bumpy skin

bumpily

-pə-lē 

adverb

bumpiness

-pē-nəs 

noun